Govt to lighten burden on COVID Hospital

NT NETWORK

Margao

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Tuesday announced plans to shift antenatal, postnatal and paediatrics units of the Margao-based COVID Hospital to the Rural Medical Dispensary, Mandur, to help ease the burden on the hospital.

Addressing media persons at the South Goa District Hospital after holding a two-hour-long review meeting on the COVID Hospital, Sawant said, “We are planning to reduce the workload on the COVID Hospital by moving the antenatal, postnatal and paediatrics units to the newly-built RMD Mandur. The shifting of the units to the Mandur facility will help reduce the workload on the COVID Hospital. This will be done in consultation with the GMC and the DHS.”

“At present, there are 161 patients admitted to the hospital, which   has ITU, ICU, OT and dialysis facilities. The workload is huge and we need to minimise it,” the Chief Minister said.

Many complaints are coming from the COVID Hospital, he disclosed,   adding that the staff are overwhelmed with the work that calls for more hands.

COVID patients want all the facilities there. They expect five-star quality, which the government cannot provide, he remarked. 

On the distribution of food for the COVID patients, Sawant said that earlier this week 28 people had been engaged to work at the hospital, but 14 of them refused to continue working.

On the plans for setting up a COVID hospital in North Goa district, Sawant said that the government is yet to take a decision.

“Additionally, we are looking for setting up another COVID hospital… We want to give good treatment to the people and want to reduce the mortality rate. The new COVID hospital will have to have the required facilities…,” the Chief Minister said.

The review meeting was attended by health secretary Nila Mohanan, Chief Secretary Parimal Rai, South Goa district collector Ajit Roy,  mamlatdars from the district,  the deputy collector, GSIDC officials and police officials.